Lanyon Homestead

Lanyon is an historic homestead and grazing property located on the southern outskirts of Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory.

The site was first occupied following white settlement by Timothy Beard, who depastured cattle on the Limestone Plains as early as 1829.

Wright and Lanyon established an orchard, vegetable gardens, planted wheat and purchased cattle and sheep and set up a dairy herd.

Wright encountered financial difficulties and was forced to sell Lanyon in 1841 and move to nearby Cuppacumbalong station.

After James' death in 1921 his son Andy oversaw Lanyon until 1926 when the property was sold to Harry Osborne of Currandooley, near Bungendore.

They implemented major changes, including modern farming methods, large scale pasture improvement and irrigation of lucerne.

By the late 1960s, the growth of the National Capital had necessitated the resumption of large tracts of farmland south of Canberra.

Up to a dozen rural leases, in parts of South Woden and Weston Creek, were resumed to make way for development of Tuggeranong, the second of Canberra's urban satellites[1] Lanyon, was the largest single parcel of freehold land in the ACT.

When the Federal Government proceeded to acquire Lanyon, Field refused an offer of $1.875m and sought compensation of $33m, the amount a private valuer had placed on the land when assessed at urban values.